Claudio Ranieri insists lack of experience cost Fulham against Tottenham Hotspur

Fulham manager Claudio Ranieri has said that the Cottagers lacked the experience within the team as they succumbed to a 2-1 Premier League defeat at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur. The west London outfit were positive during the first period of the game where they managed nine shots on goal and they eventually took the lead after an own goal from Fernando Llorente.

However, Spurs pegged them back during the second period with Dele Alli bagging the equaliser before Harry Winks bagged the winner in dramatic fashion with just seconds left on the clock. Speaking after the game, Ranieri hailed the performance of the team but highlighted that the team required more experience at the end where they needlessly surrendered possession from a free-kick which was offered to them.

He said: ““In the first half we were fantastic. We scored and should have had a penalty“ but the referee didn't give it. In the second half we recovered well [from Tottenham's first goal] but in the end we took a free-kick into the box. Why? We should have taken the ball into the corner. It was a lack of experience, but Tottenham have a lot of experience. It was a “bad moment for us“ but we are alive and we will continue to fight.”

With the defeat, Fulham remain on 14 points after 23 games into the season and they are currently seven points adrift of Newcastle United, who are just ahead of the drop zone. Next up, Fulham are scheduled to face Brighton & Hove Albion at Craven Cottage and Ranieri would be expecting a much better outcome from the game, given Chris Hughton’s men have genuinely struggled when they have been on the road. The reverse fixture at the AmEx Stadium concluded in a 2-2 draw. Glenn Murray netted the key equaliser from the penalty spot for Brighton six minutes from time.